Shoot your shot? Take a chance? Society bombards us with messages, phrases, examples and stories of how taking risk is the key to success, but is anything ever that simple? We asked some of the brightest folks we know to tell us about how they think about risk. We’ve shared their responses below.

Trent Henderson | Actor, Mentor, Mogul

I feel as is without risk there is no reward. If you dont experience risk taking you will never know the true outcome of something you may wish for or seek understanding about. Taking a risk started with me moving from Washington DC to Atlanta, GA back in 2017. When I say my life has changed; I now have a different perspective on how I view God and the things that occur throughout my lifes journey. Fast forwarding being in ATL for 3 years, I met a guy by the name of Victor Battle he was the one who ignited a fire in me to try acting out and after our convo about his talent firm in Long Beach, CA and what he did as a acting coach, before I knew it I was on a Zoom call auditioning for my first short film that was shooting in LA after I booked that so many more doors continued to open up. Today I am forever grateful Read more>>

Rapcrush | Musician & Songwriter

Taking risks is literally the reason why I was able to accomplish so much in life in general . Throughout my music taking risk used to be scary for me but as I grew and got older it becomes easier because every risk I look back on it always worked out in a positive way. Risks might seem scary but the way the world works if it’s a great cause for it you will always get back what you put in and possibly more . Read more>>

Jalene Mack | Entertainment Attorney, Actress, Writer, Producer

I took a risk on pursuing a career as a creative (actress, writer, producer) parallel to my law career. It was a risk because although I was an actress and writer before I was an attorney, there were the naysayers early on that thought I was wasting my law degree doing acting gigs. I learned that people will put you in a box and determine what they are comfortable with for you. What your limitations should be. What you are restricted to doing. I am not to be held back or held down. I am a hybrid. I wear many hats in the arts and entertainment industry because I have many talents. I am a lawyer, an actress, an author, a playwright, a producer, a screenwriter, a philanthropist. I am successful with all of my talents because they are commercially marketable and they have established me in the industry as an expert. I am more than just a lawyer and any remaining naysayers will have to accept that fact. I have been acting profesionally almost 35 years now and I have been practicing law 30 years in 2024! Read more>>

Ashleigh Williams | Owner of The SoMuchPrettier Collection

I literally started my business from the ground up I took my tax money and used it all to get merchandise to start selling clothing for my business without a care in the world if it would be successful or not. Because deep down in my mind I knew that it might not happen right away but someday it would and I had to start from somewhere so why not take that risk especially for something that I have always loved which is fashion. I literally started selling clothes out the truck of my car driving miles and miles each day to deliver customers their items that they would order . I used the money from my profit to advertise my business. My business eventually started to pick up I would take my profit money to pay to do pop up shops to get my business out more . I did all this without even having a job I just jumped out on faith. All from that one risk I decided to take have lead me to a successful online women’s boutique. Read more>>

Ashley Smiff | Fashion designer

I think taking risks is the key to success. I feel as though anyone who doesn’t take risks are most likely to remain stagnant in their life/career. With that being said, I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t take risks. Read more>>

Marquel LaFlame | Celebrity DJ & Entrepreneur

Taking risk is important. The biggest risk is not taking any risk. I wouldn’t be where Im at today without taking risk. Read more>>

Samuel Mancini | Recording Artist | Singer-Songwriter | Producer

Taking risks is what my entire career has been about. I think risk is all about self-belief in your capabilities to achieve your dreams. It’s about having the eye of the tiger and being confident in your individuality in this world. I think risk brings out the greatness in us. It builds resilience. It proves how badly you want something and if you’re cut out for it. Read more>>

Amanda Jennings | Realtor

When it comes to risk taking, I feel that you only fail when you don’t try. I’ve had great success just from taking risks. Stepping outside of my comfort zone has allowed me to grow as an individual and financially. I encourage people all the time to go after whatever it is they want to have and/or achieve. Read more>>

Jazlyn Bailey | Entrapreneur & Creative

Taking risk is probably my favorite thing to do . As a creative it’s a full time job betting on yourself. I remind myself and my circle of that always. Taking risk has put me into position to be confident that I can do anything I put my mind to. Taking risk has made those uncomfortable conversations and spaces of my creativity comfortable for me. I didn’t know the first thing about being a business owner when I first started. I was simply a 19 year old girl with some money in her savings , an idea , and her cellphone. If I never took that risk I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am today. Read more>>

Dakarai | Singer/Songwriter/Producer

Risk and pursuing a career in music are almost synonymous – unsurprisingly I’m sure – but risk is exciting and, in my case, risk has been rewarding. This doesn’t make the risky nature of the business any less scary but I’m expectant of riskiness in my field of work and I welcome it because it forces me to problem-solve and think outside of being comfortable. The cliché of “it forces me to grow” may invoke some cringing here but it’s true and necessary Read more>>

Cez Champagne | Serial Entrepreneur

Risk taking means stepping out your comfort zone into the unknown. The ultimate risk I took was walking away from teaching after 15 years to become an entrepreneur. Read more>>